The Dolphin Pledge Drive was initiated by the PTF as a means to raise a significant amount of money with minimal overhead and volunteer time. That is, we believe it is easier and more efficient to ask for a flat-out donation from each family than it is to ask students to sell candy, magazines, or other products that require manpower to organize and impose on families to sell the products. Unlike the pledge, such fundraisers retain a portion of the proceeds.
The Purpose of the Dolphin Pledge Drive
Many parents may wonder why fundraising of this caliber is even necessary and why we can’t rely upon school district funds. This would be ideal, and those funds may have been sufficient in the past, but this is simply not today’s reality. With ever-increasing school budget cuts, schools can no longer rely on city or state funding and must depend upon internal fundraising for even basic necessities. Rather than participate in small fundraisers all year long, we opt to have two major events where we ask for monetary donations (The Fall Pledge Drive and Winter Jog-a-thon) and implement other passive fundraisers where a portion of proceeds benefits the school (i.e., shopping at Fresh & Easy, turning in box tops, purchasing kettle corn, etc.).
What the Dolphin Pledge Drive Supports
The funds that we receive from the Pledge are allocated to our annual budget based on extended PTF Board conversation and input from a survey we send to parents. The money pays for an array of enriching materials, technology, and programs that would not be possible without your contributions: classroom grants, teacher professional development funds, Web-based programs, computer purchases and maintenance, copiers, PE equipment, and much, much more. The programs that we fund include Arts Attack, Run/Walk Club, assemblies, visual and performing arts, and some field trips.
How You Can Participate
Donations can be made online at PaySchools at any time, or you can submit a check with the brochure distributed to each in early September. (Click here for a printer-friendly donation form.*) We appreciate donations of any amount. We conduct the pledge drive at the beginning of the year so we can know how much money we have to work with throughout the year and so you can use it as a tax deduction. (Many organizations offer matching grants, so don’t forget to ask!)
*Form will open as a PDF. You must have a PDF reader installed on your computer to access this document.
As an added incentive, we are holding a raffle on Wednesday, October 31 for 4 Disneyland Park Hopper passes. Every $50 donation is worth 1 raffle ticket (e.g., a $200 donation is worth 4 raffle tickets). Early birds who donate by Friday, October 5 will earn double raffle tickets! That means that every $50 will be worth 2 tickets! It’s twice the fun!
This year we are also offering a prize to the students in the classroom with the most participation! Donations must be received by Monday, October 29 to be eligible. Winners will be announced after the Halloween parade at Dailard on Wednesday morning.
Thank you for your support. Our collective efforts continue to make Dailard a great school. Together we can continue Striving for Excellence… Focused on the Future.
